Supporters of health insurance reform gathered in Lewiston Sunday afternoon to thank Representative Mike Michaud for his continued support of reform. Michaud, who represents Maine's Second Congressional District, the largest House district east of the Mississippi River, was welcomed home by a crowd of enthusiastic and grateful constituents inside his local office. The congressman's appearance came just over a week after the House passed a health reform bill, legislation Michaud called "too important to fail." “Later tonight, I will say yes to expanding health care coverage to the thousands of small businesses and people in Maine who do not have it and, to those who do, making it more affordable and better,” Michaud said in a statement prior to the House vote.
“Today, I will say yes to ending the practice of denying coverage due to preexisting conditions and other abusive insurance industry abuses.” Michaud answered several questions from OFA volunteers and others Sunday afternoon, articulating his views on the health insurance debate. The U.S. Senate is expected to take-up the cause shortly.
Today, on Veterans Day, we thank and honor those who served and continue to serve our nation.
Follow the link below to watch President Obama's address to America's veterans at Arlington National Cemetery.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/11/president-veterans-day
We thank U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree for their continued support of health insurance reform.
The House voted late Saturday evening to move the process of health insurance reform forward, a step President Obama called “courageous.”
The president also asked the Senate to “take up the baton and bring this effort to the finish line.”
Rep. Michaud issued a statement prior to Saturday’s vote, saying in part, “This work is too important to fail, and I could not in good conscience let the perfect be the enemy of the possible.” Speaking on the floor of the House of the Representatives, Saturday, Rep. Pingree made her feelings clear, saying, “There can be no more delay.”
Dozens of enthusiastic supporters greeted U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree as she returned to Maine yesterday morning. A boisterous crowd of sign-waving Mainers welcomed the congresswoman minutes after her flight landed at Portland International Jetport.
The crowd gathered to thank Rep. Pingree for her support of health insurance reform. She thanked citizens who came out to greet her at the airport on Sunday morning. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a reform bill on Saturday night.
Speaking on the floor of the House Saturday, Rep. Pingree said, “I’m here in the memory of my brother. He had no public option to choose. He did what so many young families did. They spent down their savings, they sold everything they had…so they could qualify for Medicaid because no doctor would see him without insurance.”
“I have often wondered,” she added, “if he would have survived if he had the medical care he needed.”
Speaking on the importance of the legislation, Rep. Pingree said, “This bill moves us much closer to a time when no one can be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, no one can be told you can’t have health care coverage, no one will have to go into personal bankruptcy....I am so proud to be here casting the vote that so many of my constituents have waited too long for,” the congresswoman said. “There can be no more delay.”
Dozens of enthusiastic supporters of health insurance reform greeted Representative Chellie Pingree as she returned to Maine this morning.
A boisterous crowd of sign-waving Mainers welcomed the congresswoman minutes after her flight landed at Portland International Jetport.
The crowd had gathered to thank Pingree for her support of health insurance reform. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a reform bill on Saturday night.
Speaking on the floor of the House Saturday, Pingree said, “I’m here in the memory of my brother. He had no public option to choose. He did what so many young families did. They spent down their savings, they sold everything they had…so they could qualify for Medicaid because no doctor would see him without insurance.”
“I have often wondered,” Pingree added, “if he would have survived if he had the medical care he needed.”
Referening the importance of the legislation, Pingree said, “This bill moves us much closer to a time when no one can be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, no one can be told you can’t have health care coverage, no one will have to go into personal bankruptcy.”
“I am so proud to be here casting the vote that so many of my constituents have waited too long for,” the congresswoman said. “There can be no more delay.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning!
The House of Representatives will vote today on health insurance reform.
All signs point to the vote being extremely close.
Call Representative Mike Michaud to urge him to vote YES on the Affordable Health Care For America Act.
Please call Rep. Michaud in Washington at 202-225-6306 and ask friends, family members, and co-workers to do the same, today!
On October 20th over 340,000 Americans called their member of Congress in support of President Obama's plan for health insurance reform. This type of grassroots action is unprecedented. It's a testament to the tremendous amount of support that reform has across the country. As Congress inches closer to voting on reform we must continue to reach out to Senators Snowe and Collins to remind them that we support the president's call for reform. You can contact Sen. Snowe today, toll-free, by dialing 1-800-432-1599. Sen. Collins can be reached at (202) 224-2523. You may also write a personal letter in support of reform. Senator Snowe's mailing address is: 154 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Senator Collins' address is: 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. You can also follow the link below to contact our members of Congress.http://my.barackobama.com/timetodeliver
We need as many volunteers as possible to help us secure health insurance reform in 2009. Following Tuesday's vote in the Senate Finance Committee, which included an "I" vote from Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, her colleague, Senator Susan Collins, indicated that she is open to the possibility of supporting reform. Time is of the essence and we're not going to get this done without your help. Click on the events tab at my.barackobam.com to find volunteer opportunities in your area. You may also create and host an event at a location of your choosing.
While we are now closer than ever before to passing reform, as the president reminded us Tuesday, "We're not there yet."
Just like last October, now is the time to dig deep and work to ensure health insurance reform in 2009. So please sign-up and volunteer with Organizing for America.
The Senate Finance Committee voted today to move the process of health care reform forward. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine was among those to vote in favor of legislation. President Obama thanked the senator for “both the political courage and the seriousness of purpose that she's demonstrated throughout this process," while reminding us that now "is not the time to offer ourselves congratulations. Now is the time to dig in and work even harder to get this done."
Today is a significant victory in our ultimate quest to see real health insurance reform legislation on the president's desk in 2009, but it is far from the end of this process. Five committees have now passed a portion of reform, which makes our next step perhaps the most important. We thank our volunteers for helping us reach this important milestone, and we call on them to heed the president's call to service.
Together, we as a nation will get this done and bring quality and affordable coverage to millions of Americans who go without insurance and millions who struggle to obtain the coverage they have.
YES WE CAN!
From Julian Federle, the new Maine State Director for Organizing for America:
Since Inauguration Day, Organizing for America has been dedicated to making real the change we fought for during the election. But to be successful, we need to hear from you -- your effort and commitment are the backbone of this movement and this organization. That's why I'm so excited to announce that we're back on the ground in Maine and, starting this week, we'll be hosting Listening Tour Town Halls across the state. Will you make your voice heard and join us on the Listening Tour? At Listening Tour meetings, you'll get a chance to meet new state staff members, hear about some lessons learned during the general election, and offer your thoughts on how we can organize Maine going forward. Your ideas will be used to write a Maine-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. The campaign brought an unprecedented number of new voices into the process -- we need to make sure those voices remain at the center of the debate as the President and Congress work on providing solutions for our economy. But these meetings are not just for folks who were involved in the campaign -- we're hopeful that every Mainer will get involved. We can't stop growing our movement now. We've never had a better opportunity to shape our future -- and just like during the election, we'll do it from the bottom up. Sign up now to attend a Listening Tour event. I look forward to seeing you, Julian Julian Federle Maine State Director Organizing for America P.S. -- If you can't make it to a Listening Tour event, you can still get involved with Organizing for America in Maine. Let us know how you'd like to see Maine organized.
Today David Plouffe sent out the following message to supporters, inviting them to attend one the many grassroots house meetings taking place throughout the country later this month:
Exactly one month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change. Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. On December 13th and 14th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. Join your friends and neighbors -- sign up to host or attend a Change is Coming house meeting near you. Since the election, the challenges we face -- and our responsibility to take action -- have only gotten more urgent. You can connect with fellow supporters, make progress on the issues you care about, and help shape the future of your community and our country. Learn what you can do now to support President-elect Obama's agenda for change and continue to make a difference in your community. Take the first important step by hosting or attending a Change is Coming house meeting. Sign up right now. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Barack and Joe have a clear agenda and an unprecedented opportunity for change. But they can't do it alone. Will you join us at a house meeting and help plan the next steps for this movement? Thanks, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Polls in Maine are closed now (although if you are in line, you will be allowed to vote), but there's one last thing you can do to help this historic campaign: call states where the polls are still open to help Get Out The Vote. Even if you've never made calls before, this is your chance to participate -- a chance to be part of an historic grassroots field operation.
The map below shows the battleground states where polls are still open and where we still need help reaching our voters. Just click select the state and you will be given a list of voters to call and a brief script. In 2004, the election was decided by approximately 9 votes per precinct in Ohio. Even at this late hour, your help can still make a difference.
Across the state Mainers are saying they're ready for change: by turning out in record numbers, stopping by their town clerk's and casting their ballots early.
Marcia writes:
My four year old granddaughter, Zeta, is a definite politician in the making, and she may be the youngest Obama supporter. She lives in North Carolina, although both of her parents are from Maine. The other day her parents went to vote early. As they got done, the first thing Zeta asked them was, "So, did you vote for Obama?" (They did, of course!)
Whether you're voting for you, for your children, for your grandchildren, for whomever, make sure you get to the polls and let your voice be heard.
For voting information, call 877-2-ME-OBAMA or visit voteforchange.com.
To share your story, click here.
This week the Campaign for Change held Early Vote Rallies across the state encouraging supports to skip the lines this Election Day by casting their ballots early.
Senator George Mitchell was on hand at many events across the Pine Street State to speak with voters about the importance of this election and how they could do their part to help the Obama-Biden ticket in the final days of the campaign. Hundreds of voters turned out to hear him speak before marching to the polls and casting their vote.
Candidates Tom Allen and Mike Michaud were also in attendence to speak with voters and help get out the vote in Maine.
If you would like to vote early, there is still time! Visit voteforchange.com or call 877-2-ME-OBAMA to learn more.
To sign-up to volunteer with the Campaign for Change, CLICK HERE.
